David Cole Cempa Jutsu Karate 1st Dan Shodan Assistant Instructor
In 1986 David took up Boxing and was a regular at the Tilbury Boxing club before moving on to the Belhus Boxing club were he stayed until 1988. Soon after he joined the local Judo club and trained there for over a year, it wasn't quite what he was looking for especially coming from a Boxing background and more used to using his fist. David felt that he should try Karate and soon enrolled at the Roding Karate club in located in Dagenham
The style of karate was Wado Ryu, under Sensie Ray Barrow, David attended as many lessons as possible as he felt Karate was the fighting art he had been searching for. Whilst at the club he moved up the grades and was a regular in Kumite competitions all over the South East, he also attended several training camps with Sensei Yoshi Shinahara.
By 1994 David had achieved the grade of 2nd Kyu. At this time David decided to take a break from training and concentrate on other aspects of his life. Although during this time David continued training at the local Gym and took part in long distance running, including the London Marathon. In 2002 David joined Bannatynes health centre in Thurrock to increase his Gym training. It was here in 2003 he visited the on site karate Club and first met Sensei Allen Tottman who explained that the Karate club had 5 lessons a week and that he would be most welcome, David decided to train that night and soon realised how much he had missed Karate. He soon became a regular student at the club and attended as many lessons as he could. After a short time he found the transfer from wado Ryu to cempa Jutsu karate a natural path for his development . The training and delivery of techniques were far more usable than the other fighting system he had trained in. In November 2007 David successfully passed his 1st Dan (Shodan)Grading and become's one of the clubs assistant instructors. He has also played a supportive role to Sensei Allen Tottman in the delivery of self defence courses that are aimed at teaching easy to remember practical techniques which and are aimed at people who may not have any previous experience in the martial arts. These courses have proved popular with many members of Bannatynes Gym (Thurrock) both female and male. David continues to develop his martial skills under Sensie Allen Tottman 6th Dan and is also a regular face in the Gym. In recent years David has visited and trained at many other clubs and locations to broaden his horizons and compare systems. , he also attends seminars. In 2010 David attended a seminar arrange by Sensei Craig Finch 6th Dan Ryukyukan Karate with chief instructor Hanshi Nohara 8th Dan who was visiting the UK from Okinawa..
David Cole
